Nun sexually assaulted and strangled

A murder hunt was under way today after a nun was sexually assaulted and strangled in the grounds of her Irish convent.

Sister Philomena Lyons, 68, was found dead outside St Joseph's convent in Co Monaghan on Saturday night just hours before she was due at a friend's 100th birthday celebrations.

Other nuns raised the alarm when the popular former teacher, from the Sacred Heart Order in Ballybay, failed to catch a bus to meet friends and colleagues for the celebration in Dublin.

Her handbag was found in the grounds of the convent, and her body was discovered some distance away, police said.

The body was taken to Cavan General Hospital where a post-mortem examination was carried out by assistant state pathologist Marie Cassidy.

A police spokesman said last night: "The death was due to strangulation. It was also confirmed that the deceased was sexually assaulted."

Residents of the small town where she was well-known told of their shock while former pupils paid tribute to her.

Marie McNally, 14, whom Sister Philomena taught when she was aged between eight and 10, told how the popular teacher left St Bridget's Girls National School two years ago to do voluntary work at the St Joseph's Nursing home which is attached to the convent.

She said: "She taught me for three years and she was a lovely teacher. She just gave her life to helping people.

"There was no-one here that she didn't get on with. No-one can understand how this has happened or who would have done it.

She added: "She was known right throughout the town. We are all going to miss her."

Padraig Duffy, who works at a local bar, yesterday said a sense of shock and suspicion had descended on the town.

"As people came into the bar last night Saturday there were rumours and talk that she had been attacked. People were saying that her clothes had been scattered around.

"Three or four Garda cars keep going up and down the street here and people are just wondering who would have done this in a small town.

One police officer on duty at the scene said Sister Philomena was making her way to Dublin at the time to attend a friend's 100th birthday party.

"It just makes the whole sad affair even more tragic," he said. The group of around 20 nuns at the convent were said to be in deep shock.

Last night they were visited by local Bishop Joe Duffy who spent several hours inside the convent comforting them.

Shortly after the visit a hearse brought the body of Sister Philomena back to the convent.

Sister Philomena had lived in Ballybay for the last 30 years after moving from her native Mallow in Cork to take the teaching job.

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area between 6am and 10am on Saturday morning to come forward.